Snow removal device, vehicle, and track transportation system

ABSTRACT

A snow removal device includes: a snow plow part that is mounted on a vehicle body traveling along a track in front of running wheels in which the vehicle body travels such that a lower end is separated from each of runways of the track with which the running wheels contact and that displaces forward snow of the running direction in a vehicle width direction as the vehicle body moves forward in the running direction; and a snow removal brush part mounted on the vehicle body in a rear of the snow plow part in the running direction and in front of the running wheels in the running direction so as to be disposed at a position at which a lower end thereof contacts the runway and at a position at which at least a portion thereof overlaps the snow plow part when viewed from the front.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a snow removal device, a vehicle, and a track transportation system.

Priority is claimed on Japanese Patent Application No. 2014-177881, filed on Sep. 2, 2014, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

2. Description of Related Art

As a new means of transportation other than a bus or a railway, a track transportation system traveling on a track using running wheels made of rubber tires is known. Such a track transportation system is generally referred to as a new transportation system or an automated people mover (APM).

A vehicle employed in this track transportation system is equipped with, for instance, power collection parts provided for a lateral portion thereof, and a guide wheel installed in together with the power collection parts. Trolley wires configured to supply the vehicle with power via the power collection parts and a guide rail with which the guide wheel comes into contact to thereby guide the vehicle in a running direction are provided on the track along which the vehicle travels. For this reason, the vehicle of the track transportation system travels along the guide rail while the power is supplied by bringing the power collection parts into contact with the trolley wires. The vehicle of the track transportation system is often automatically operated unattended, and there is a risk of snow that has accumulated from a snowfall forming an obstacle in the way of traffic.

To remove such snow, for instance, a device for removing obstacles on a track for a guide rail type vehicle is disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application, First Publication No. 2010-241312, and is capable of removing obstacles on the track such as snow or foreign materials which are on the track surface of the track. To be specific, the device for removing obstacles on a track for a guide rail type vehicle, which is disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application, First Publication No. 2010-241312, is equipped with frames that are provided in front of wheels in a running direction, and hoist lifting units that are mounted on the frames and raise or lower brush holders holding removal brushes for the obstacles on the track. The device for removing obstacles on a track for a guide rail type vehicle removes the obstacles on the track by pressing the brush holders downward using the lifting units and bringing the removal brushes into contact with the track surface.

Incidentally, the device described above in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application, First Publication No. 2010-241312 removes the obstacles on the track by pushing the removal brushes by the vehicle in the running direction of the vehicle in a state in which the removal brushes come into contact with the track surface. However, when a large amount of snow is accumulated on the track surface, an amount of snow pushed by the removal brushes is increased just by simply pushing the removal brushes by the vehicle in the running direction. For this reason, a burden on the brushes is increased, and a frictional force between the brush and the track surface is increased. As a result, wear on the brush is increased, and thereby it is becomes necessary to replace the removal brushes before the snow is sufficiently removed which makes it difficult to efficiently remove the snow from the track surface.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a snow removal device, a vehicle, and a track transportation system which are capable of efficiently removing snow that has accumulated on runways while suppressing the wear of brushes.

In a first aspect of the present invention, a snow removal brush includes: a snow plow part that is mounted on a vehicle body traveling along a track in front of running wheels provided for the vehicle body in a running direction in which the vehicle body travels such that a lower end of the snow plow part is separated from each of runways of the track with which the running wheels are in contact and that displaces forward snow of the running direction in a vehicle width direction of the vehicle body as the vehicle body moves forward in the running direction; and a snow removal brush part that is mounted on the vehicle body in a rear of the snow plow part in the running direction and in front of the running wheels in the running direction so as to be disposed at a position at which a lower end of the snow removal brush part comes into contact with the runway and at a position at which at least a portion of the snow removal brush part overlaps the snow plow part when viewed from the front in the running direction.

According to this constitution, as the vehicle body travels while the snow is received by the snow plow part, it is possible to move the snow accumulated on the runways in the vehicle width direction to remove the snow in front of the running wheels in the running direction. Further, the snow remaining between the lower end of the snow plow part and the runway without being removed by the snow plow part can be moved in the vehicle width direction so as to be swept out by bringing the snow removal brush part into contact with the runway. Therefore, as much snow on the runway is removed by the snow plow part, the slightly accumulated snow that is hardly removed by the snow plow part and remains on the runway can be removed with high precision by the snow removal brush part while suppressing the burden on the snow removal brush part.

Also, in the snow removal device, the snow plow part may include a reception surface that is formed to be inclined in the vehicle width direction with respect to the running direction and receives the snow, and the snow removal brush part may include a brush part body that is inclined in the same direction as the reception surface and comes into contact with the runway.

According to this constitution, the reception surface of the snow plow part and the snow removal brush part are disposed to be inclined to the same direction as the vehicle width direction with respect to the running direction. For this reason, even when the vehicle body does nothing but move forward in the running direction, the snow accumulated on the runway can be pushed out in the vehicle width direction by the reception surface and the snow removal brush part. Therefore, it is possible to improve the capability to remove the snow accumulated on the runway in the vehicle width direction.

Also, in the snow removal device, the reception surface may extend forward in the running direction as going upward in a vertical direction while being curved in a shape recessed backward in the running direction, and be curved such that a radius of curvature is increased as going toward the vehicle width direction.

According to this constitution, the reception surface is formed to cover the snow in front of the snow plow part in the running direction while the radius of curvature is increased as going toward the vehicle width direction. For this reason, as the vehicle body moves forward in the running direction, even when an amount of the snow which the reception surface receives is increased as going toward the vehicle width direction, it is possible to inhibit the snow from overflowing backward in the running direction beyond the snow plow part. Thereby, it is possible to stably remove the snow to the one side in the vehicle width direction.

Also, in the snow removal device, the reception surface may be formed by extending upward in the vertical direction as going toward the vehicle width direction.

According to this constitution, as the vehicle body moves forward in the running direction, it is possible to increase the amount of the snow that can be received by the reception surface as going toward the vehicle width direction. For this reason, even if the amount of the snow which the reception surface receives is increased as going toward the vehicle width direction, it is possible to inhibit the snow from overflowing backward in the running direction beyond the snow plow part. Thereby, it is possible to more stably send the snow to the one side in the vehicle width direction to remove the snow.

Also, in the snow removal device, the reception surface may be formed in such a manner that a lower portion of the reception surface below a central portion of the reception surface in the vertical direction is warped forward in the running direction with respect to a vertical line.

According to this constitution, due to the warpage of the reception surface, the snow caught on the snow plow part can be reliably sent in the vehicle width direction without flowing to the lower side in the vertical direction, and improve snow removal efficiency of the snow plow part itself.

Also, in the snow removal device, the snow removal brush part may be mounted on the vehicle body as one body with the snow plow part and is movable relative to the runway in a vertical direction.

According to this constitution, the snow removal brush part and the snow plow part can be moved up or down in the vertical direction with respect to the runway as a whole. In the event of a normal operation in which the snow removal from the runway is not required as in the case when no snow falls, the snow removal brush part and the snow plow part can be separated greatly from the runway. Only when snow removal is required, it is possible to approximate the snow plow part with respect to the runway to bring the lower end of the snow removal brush part into contact with the runway. Therefore, in the event of the normal operation, it is possible to inhibit the vehicle body from traveling with the lower end of the snow removal brush part brought into contact with the runway, and to prevent the snow removal brush part from becoming worn.

Also, in the snow removal device, the snow removal brush part may be mounted on the vehicle body independently of the snow plow part and be movable relative to the runway in a vertical direction.

According to this constitution, only the snow removal brush part can be separated greatly from the runway. For this reason, the snow accumulated on the runway can be removed only by the snow plow part.

Further, in a second aspect of the present invention, a vehicle includes a vehicle body including the snow removal device.

Further, in a third aspect of the present invention, a track transportation system includes the vehicle, and a track along which the vehicle body travels.

According to this constitution, the vehicle can be efficiently driven while removing the snow accumulated on the runway. For this reason, it is possible to suppress service disruptions or train delays caused by the accumulated snow.

According to the present invention, as the snow on the runway is removed by the snow plow part and the snow removal brush part, the snow accumulated on the runway can be efficiently removed while suppressing the wear on a brush.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing a track transportation system in an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a view of a snow removal device in a first embodiment of the present invention when viewed from above in a vertical direction.

FIG. 3 is a view of the snow removal device in the first embodiment of the present invention when viewed from the front above in a running direction.

FIG. 4 is a view showing the snow removal device in the first embodiment of the present invention when viewed in a IV-IV direction of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a view showing a snow removal device in a second embodiment of the present invention and is equivalent to the view when viewed in the IV-IV direction of FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION First Embodiment

Hereinafter, a first embodiment according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, a combination vehicle according to a first embodiment of the present invention is a combination vehicle of a track transportation system 1 that travels on a track 2 while being guided by guide rails 3 provided for the track 2. The track transportation system 1 of the present embodiment is a lateral guide rail type (side guide type) transportation system in which the guide rails 3 are provided at both sides of the track 2 in a width direction and extend in an extending direction of the track 2. In the present embodiment, a plurality of vehicles 5 is connected to each other to constitute the combination vehicle.

The track 2 extends along a predetermined service route, in which linear sections and curved sections are mixed as needed. The track 2 includes a track surface 21 that is nearly horizontally provided. The track surface 21 is built of, for instance, concrete.

Runways 21 a along which the vehicle 5 travels are formed on the track surface 21. The runways 21 a are separated in a horizontal direction to correspond to running wheels 511 of the vehicle 5 to be described below, and are formed at two places. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the runways 21 a are formed to protrude upward from the track surface 21 in a vertical direction Dv such that upper surfaces thereof provide overall flat surfaces and the running wheels 511 can roll on the flat surfaces while being in contact with the flat surfaces.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 4, the vehicle 5 is equipped with a vehicle body 51 that travels on the track 2, guide devices 52 that guide the vehicle body 51 along the track 2, and snow removal devices 60 that are disposed in the front of the vehicle body 51 in the running direction Dr in which the vehicle body 51 travels. Here, in the present embodiment, the running direction Dr of the vehicle body 51 is a direction in which the vehicle body 51 travels, and is a leftward/rightward direction of the sheet in FIG. 1.

The vehicle body 51 has a structure which has a box shape in an exterior view and in which a cavity is present. The vehicle body 51 is provided with an opening/closing door and windows (not shown) at a lateral portion thereof, and a pair of left and right running wheels 511 at a bottom portion thereof. The running wheels 511 are driven and rotated by a power-driving part (not shown). As the running wheels 511, for instance, rubber tires are used. As the running wheels 511 come into contact with the runways 21 a of the track surface 21 and move forward while being rotated, the vehicle body 51 travels on the track 2.

Each of the guide devices 52 is equipped with a guide frame 521 that is provided at a lower side of the vehicle body 51, and guide wheels 522 that are rotatably supported by the guide frame 521.

The guide frame 521 extends in a vehicle width direction Dw. Opposite ends of the guide frames 521 are located outside the running wheels 511. The opposite ends of the guide frames 521 are provided with the respective guide wheels 522. Here, in the present embodiment, the vehicle width direction Dw of the vehicle body 51 is a width direction of the track 2, and is an upward/downward direction of the sheet in FIG. 1. Also, an inner side in the vehicle width direction Dw is a center side of the vehicle body 51, and an outer side in the vehicle width direction Dw is a lateral surface side of the vehicle body 51 which is a side at which the guide wheels 522 are provided.

The guide wheels 522 are disposed outside the lateral surfaces of the vehicle body 51, and are supported by the guide frames 521 to be rotatable about their rotational axes in the vertical direction Dv. The guide wheels 522 are provided at approximately the same height as the guide rails 3. Therefore, when the vehicle 5 travels, the guide wheels 522 are rotated by coming into contact with the guide rails 3.

The snow removal devices 60 remove snow on the runways 21 a. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the snow removal devices 60 are disposed in front of the running wheels 511 provided for the vehicle body 51 in the running direction Dr. The snow removal devices 60 are mounted on the vehicle body 51 via the guide frames 521. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the snow removal devices 60 of the present embodiment are provided for the foremost vehicle 5 disposed at the forefront in the running direction Dr among the plurality of connected vehicles 5.

As illustrated in FIGS. 2 to 4, each of the snow removal devices 60 of the present embodiment is equipped with a snow plow part 61 that is mounted on the vehicle body 51 in the front of the running wheels 511 in the running direction Dr, a snow removal brush part 62 that is mounted on the vehicle body 51 in the rear of the snow plow part 61 in the running direction Dr and in front of each of the running wheels 511 in the running direction Dr, and a mounting support part 63 that mounts the snow plow part 61 and the snow removal brush part 62 on the vehicle body 51.

The snow plow parts 61 are mounted on the vehicle body 51 such that lower ends thereof are separated from the runways 21 a. As the vehicle body 51 moves forward in the running direction Dr, the snow plow parts 61 displace snow in front of the running wheels 511 in the running direction Dr in the vehicle width direction Dw of the vehicle body 51.

Each of the snow plow parts 61 of the present embodiment is a plate-like member in which a reception surface 61 a for receiving the snow on each of the runways 21 a is formed. The snow plow parts 61 are supported to be movable up and down in the vertical direction Dv by the mounting support parts 63. The snow plow parts 61 are disposed such that, in a state in which the snow plow parts 61 are displaced downward in the vertical direction Dv by the mounting support parts 63, lower ends thereof are separated from the runways 21 a by a length predetermined from a wear threshold of the snow removal brush parts 62. To be specific, the snow plow parts 61 of the present embodiment are disposed such that the lower ends thereof are separated from the runways 21 a by about 50 mm to 60 mm. The snow plow parts 61 are formed of a high-stiffness material such as a metal material.

The reception surface 61 a is a surface directed forward in the running direction Dr. The reception surface 61 a is formed to be inclined in the vehicle width direction Dw with respect to the running direction Dr. The reception surface 61 a of the present embodiment is formed to be inclined outward in the vehicle width direction Dw at a given angle α determined depending on a traveling speed of the vehicle 5 or a condition of the snow accumulated on each of the runways 21 a. To be specific, the reception surface 61 a is formed to be inclined at about 40° to 45° in the running direction Dr toward the outside in the vehicle width direction Dw and from the front toward the rear in the running direction Dr. The reception surface 61 a of the present embodiment is recessed backward in the running direction Dr as going upward in the vertical direction Dv, and is curved forward in the running direction Dr. That is, the reception surface 61 a is formed to cover the snow, which has accumulated on each of the runways 21 a in front in the running direction Dr, from the upper side in the vertical direction Dv. Also, the reception surface 61 a is curved such that the radius of curvature is increased as going outward in the vehicle width direction Dw.

The reception surface 61 a is formed by extending upward in the vertical direction Dv as going outward in the vehicle width direction Dw. Accordingly, as the radius of curvature gradually increases, the reception surface 61 a extends forward in the running direction Dr and upward in the vertical direction Dv from the inside toward the outside in the vehicle width direction Dw.

Also, the reception surface 61 a has a shape in which a lower end thereof located at a lower side than a central portion of the reception surface 61 a itself in the vertical direction Dv is warped forward in the running direction Dr with respect to a vertical line by a dimension X. The dimension X may for instance, range from 10 mm to 20 mm. Due to the warpage of the dimension X, the snow caught on the snow plow part 61 can be reliably sent outward in the vehicle width direction Dw without flowing to the lower side (the side of the snow removal brush part 62) in the vertical direction Dv, and improve snow removal efficiency of the snow plow part 61 itself.

Paint or wax to which the snow is rarely attached may be applied to the reception surface 61 a. Thereby, it is possible to further improve the snow removal efficiency of the snow plow part 61 itself.

The snow removal brush parts 62 are disposed in the rear of the snow plow parts 61 in the running direction Dr and in front of the running wheels 511 in the running direction Dr. Each of the snow removal brush parts 62 is mounted on the vehicle body 51 so as to be disposed at a position at which at least a portion thereof overlaps each of the snow plow parts 61 when viewed from the front in the running direction Dr. The snow removal brush parts 62 are supported via the mounting support parts 63 by the vehicle body 51 so as to be movable up and down in the vertical direction Dv along with the snow plow parts 61. Each of the snow removal brush parts 62 of the present embodiment includes a brush part body 621 that comes into contact with each of the runways 21 a, and a brush fixing portion 622 that fixes the brush part body 621 to each of the mounting support parts 63.

Each of the brush part bodies 621 is configured such that a lower end thereof in the vertical direction Dv is in contact with each of the runways 21 a in a state in which it is inclined in the same direction as the reception surface 61 a. The brush part body 621 of the present embodiment is a brush-like member fixed to the brush fixing portion 622 at an upper side thereof in the vertical direction Dv. Here, the brush-like member includes a member in which, for instance, linear members each having, for example, a circular, elliptical, rectangular or polygonal external shape or cross-sectional shape and a diameter of 0.3 to 3.0 mm are bundled and fixedly buried in the brush fixing portion 622. The brush part body 621 is formed to be widened in a direction orthogonal to a direction to which the reception surface 61 a is directed.

The brush part body 621 is formed in the vehicle width direction Dw so as to be longer than a length of the runway 21 a in the vehicle width direction Dw. When viewed from the front in the running direction Dr, the brush part body 621 is located at a position at which it overlaps the snow plow part 61 in the vehicle width direction Dw, and only the lower end thereof is disposed at a position viewed from a space between the runway 21 a and the lower end of the snow plow part 61. The brush part body 621 may be formed of a metal material or a material having an insulation property. To be specific, the brush part body 621 of the present embodiment is formed of, for instance, nylon or polypropylene (PP). Also, the brush part body 621 may be a metal brush of wires or copper wires, or may be a brush derived from a plant such as bamboo or palm or a strip-shaped rubber plate.

An amount of wear at which the brush part body 621 is worn by coming into contact with the runway 21 a varies according to a material or a shape of the brush part body 621. Depending on such an amount of wear, a length thereof within which the brush part body 621 allows the lower end thereof to be maintained in contact with the runway 21 a and the snow accumulated on the runway 21 a can be removed is determined as a wear threshold. The wear threshold of the brush part body 621 of the present embodiment ranges from about 50 mm to 60 mm as described above.

The brush fixing portion 622 is fixed the brush part body 621 to the mounting support part 63 in a state in which the brush part body 621 protrudes to a lower side than the snow plow part 61 in the vertical direction by the wear threshold. The brush fixing portion 622 of the present embodiment holds the upper side of the brush part body 621 in the vertical direction Dv. The brush fixing portion 622 obliquely holds the brush part body 621 such that the lower end of the brush part body 621 go backward in the running direction Dr. The brush fixing portion 622 is integrally fixed to the back of the snow plow part 61 which is on the opposite side of the reception surface 61 a of the snow plow part 61.

The mounting support part 63 fixes the snow plow part 61 and the brush fixing portion 622 to the vehicle body 51 so as to be movable in the vertical direction Dv. The mounting support part 63 is fixed to the guide frame 521. When the snow removal from the runway 21 a is not required, the mounting support part 63 keeps the snow plow part 61 and the brush fixing portion 622 moved upward in the vertical direction Dv such that the lower end of the brush part body 621 is separated from the runway 21 a. When the snow removal from the runway 21 a is required, the mounting support part 63 keeps the snow plow part 61 and the brush fixing portion 622 moved downward in the vertical direction Dv such that only the lower end of the brush part body 621 is in contact with the runway 21 a with the snow plow part 61 separated slightly from the runway 21 a.

The mounting support part 63 of the present embodiment includes a mounting fixture 631 that is fixed to the guide frame 521, mounting support part bodies 632 that are mounted to be movable up and down relative to the mounting fixture 631 in the vertical direction Dv, mounting arms 633 that connect the mounting support part bodies 632 to the snow plow part 61 and the brush fixing portion 622, and a brush support 634 that is fixed to the mounting support part bodies 632 to support the brush part body 621 from the rear in the running direction Dr.

The mounting fixtures 631 are fixed to the guide frames 521 in front of the running wheels 511 in the running direction Dr. Each of the mounting fixtures 631 of the present embodiment has a first member 631 a that is fixed to the guide frame 521, and a second member 631 b that extends in the vertical direction Dv in the front of the first member 631 a in the running direction Dr.

The first member 631 a is fixed to an upper surface of the guide frame 521 in the vertical direction Dv. The first member 631 a is a flat plate member having a trapezoidal shape in which, when viewed from the upper side in the vertical direction Dv, a side inclined toward the outside in the vehicle width direction Dw with respect to the front in the running direction Dr is formed.

The second member 631 b is fixed to the inclined side of the first member 631 a. The second member 631 b extends from the first member 631 a toward upper and lower sides in the vertical direction Dv in a rectangular flat plate shape.

The mounting support part bodies 632 are disposed at opposite ends of the second member 631 b in the vehicle width direction Dw, wherein the opposite ends are located on a forward directed surface of the second member 631 b in the running direction Dr. Each of the mounting support part bodies 632 includes a cylinder part 632 a that is fixed to the mounting fixture 631, a piston part 632 b that is movable up and down relative to the cylinder part 632 a in the vertical direction Dv, and a cylinder controller 632 c that controls the movement of the piston part 632 b relative to the cylinder part 632 a.

The cylinder part 632 a is fixed to the second member 631 b. The cylinder part 632 a is an air cylinder shaped of a square bottomed tube, an upper portion of which is open.

The piston part 632 b is supported to be movable up and down in the vertical direction Dv with respect to the cylinder part 632 a.

The cylinder controller 632 c sends a signal for adjusting a position of the piston part 632 b to the cylinder part 632 a. When the snow removal from the runways 21 a is not required, the cylinder controller 632 c of the present embodiment sends a signal to the cylinder part 632 a so as to make the piston part 632 b expand upward in the vertical direction Dv. On the other hand, when the snow removal from the runways 21 a is required, the cylinder controller 632 c sends a signal to the cylinder part 632 a so as to house the piston part 632 b in the cylinder part 632 a and make the piston part 632 b contract downward in the vertical direction Dv. The cylinder controller 632 c is provided in a cab (not shown) in the vehicle body 51.

Each of the mounting arms 633 fixes the snow plow part 61 and the brush fixing portion 622 to the piston part 632 b. The mounting arm 633 is provided for each piston part 632 b. The mounting arms 633 are disposed to sandwich the two cylinder parts 632 a from the opposite sides in the vehicle width direction Dw. Each of the mounting arms 633 of the present embodiment includes a first arm 633 a that is fixed to the piston part 632 b, and a second arm 633 b that fixes the first arm 633 a to the snow plow part 61 and the brush fixing portion 622.

The first arm 633 a is fixed to a surface of the piston part 632 b which faces the outside of the runway 21 a in the vehicle width direction Dw. The first arm 633 a is a flat plate member that is widened in the vertical direction Dv and horizontally extends forward from the piston part 632 b in the running direction Dr.

A front of the second arm 633 b in the running direction Dr is fixed to the snow plow part 61 and the brush fixing portion 622, and a rear of the second arm 633 b in the running direction Dr is fixed to the first arm 633 a. The second arm 633 b is fixed to the first arm 633 a at a position located outside the first arm 633 a in the vehicle width direction Dw. The second arm 633 b obliquely extends lower than the first arm 633 a in the vertical direction Dv. The second arms 633 b are provided for the first arms 633 a. Therefore, the second arms 633 b hold both the snow plow part 61 and the brush fixing portion 622 to be sandwiched from the opposite sides in the vehicle width direction Dw by the two second arms 633 b disposed apart from each other in the vehicle width direction Dw.

The brush support 634 supports the lower side of the brush part body 621, which is in contact with the runway 21 a, in the vertical direction Dv from the rear in the running direction Dr. The brush support 634 of the present embodiment includes support fixing portions 634 a that are respectively fixed to the two cylinder parts 632 a separated in the vehicle width direction Dw, and a support roller 634 b that is rotatably held on the support fixing portions 634 a and supports the brush part body 621 from the rear in the running direction Dr.

The support fixing portions 634 a are integrally fixed to protrude from the cylinder parts 632 a toward the front in the running direction Dr. The support fixing portions 634 a are provided for the two cylinder parts 632 a disposed apart from each other in the vehicle width direction Dw.

The support roller 634 b supports the brush part body 621 from the rear in the running direction Dr while being rotatably supported by the two support fixing portions 634 a disposed apart from each other in the vehicle width direction Dw.

Next, an operation of the snow removal device 60 of the first embodiment will be described.

In the first embodiment, in the event of normal operation that does not require the snow removal from the runways 21 a, the piston parts 632 b are held in a state in which they are expanded upward in the vertical direction Dv relative to the cylinder parts 632 a. That is, the brush part bodies 621 and the snow plow parts 61 are made to be separated greatly from the runways 21 a.

In the event of snowfall requiring the snow removal, a signal is sent from the cylinder controller 632 c to the cylinder part 632 a by, for instance, a driver who drives the vehicle body 51. As the cylinder part 632 a receives the signal, the cylinder part 632 a lowers the piston part 632 b held in an expanded state to the lower side in the vertical direction Dv. As the piston part 632 b is lowered to the lower side in the vertical direction Dv, the snow plow part 61 and the brush fixing portion 622 fixed to the second arm 633 b are also lowered via the first arm 633 a to the lower side in the vertical direction Dv along with the piston part 632 b. As the piston part 632 b is housed in the cylinder part 632 a, the snow plow part 61 and the brush fixing portion 622 are lowered to a position at which the lower end of the brush part body 621 comes into contact with the runway 21 a. In the state in which the lower end of the brush part body 621 comes into contact with the runway 21 a, the lower end of the snow plow part 61 is disposed at a position at which it is separated from the runway 21 a by about 50 mm to 60 mm that is a length predetermined from a wear threshold of the brush part body 621.

In this state, the vehicle body 51 travels along the runways 21 a. Thereby, the reception surfaces 61 a of the snow plow parts 61 receive snow accumulated on the runways 21 a, and remove the snow on the runways 21 a toward the outside in the vehicle width direction Dw. Further, the snow remaining between the lower ends of the snow plow parts 61 and the runways 21 a is pushed to be swept out by the brush part bodies 621 supported from the rear in the running direction Dr by the support rollers 634 b, and is removed toward the outside in the vehicle width direction Dw.

According to the snow removal device 60 as described above, the vehicle body 51 travels while the snow is received by the reception surfaces 61 a of the snow plow part 61. Thereby, it is possible to move the snow accumulated on the runways 21 a toward the outside in the vehicle width direction Dw to remove the snow in front of the running wheels 511 in the running direction Dr. Further, the snow remaining between the lower ends of the snow plow parts 61 and the runways 21 a without being removed by the snow plow parts 61 can be moved to the outside in the vehicle width direction Dw so as to be swept out by bringing the lower ends of the brush part bodies 621 into contact with the runways 21 a. Therefore, as much snow on the runways 21 a is removed by the snow plow parts 61, the slight snow that is hardly removed by the snow plow parts 61 and remains on the runways 21 a can be removed with high precision by the brush part bodies 621 while suppressing the burden on the brush part bodies 621. Thereby, a large quantity of snow can be easily removed while the wear of the brush part bodies 621 is suppressed.

For example, when the large quantity of snow accumulated to several centimeters on the runways 21 a is accumulated, if the snow is adapted to be removed only by the snow removal brush parts 62, the large quantity of snow needs to be pushed out by the brush part bodies 621.

For this reason, the load is applied to the brush part bodies 621, and a frictional force occurring between the runways 21 a and the lower ends of the brush part bodies 621 is increased. As a result, the wear amount of each of the brush part body 621 is increased to exceed the wear threshold. Thereby, it is impossible to secure the length at which the snow on the runways 21 a can be removed, and a need to replace the snow removal brush parts 62 prior to sufficiently removing the snow on the runways 21 a may occur.

Also, as the snow plow parts 61 are formed of a material such as a metal material that is not easily deformed and has high stiffness, the snow plow parts 61 cannot be moved in contact with the runways 21 a. For this reason, there is a need to form a gap between the runway 21 a and the snow plow part 61. However, as the gap is present between the runway 21 a and the snow plow part 61, the snow remains on the runway 21 a even when the snow is adapted to be removed only by the snow plow part 61.

In the case of a railway vehicle traveling on rails using railway wheels rather than the running wheels 511, a surface pressure between the railway wheel and the rail is high, and thus no problem occurs even if the snow remains to a degree. However, like the vehicle 5 used in the track transportation system 1, when the vehicle 5 moves with the running wheels 511 such as the rubber tires contacting with the runways 21 a, the snow remains. Thereby, the running wheels 511 slip, and the remaining snow impedes movement.

In addition, in the case of an automobile, such rubber tires are used, but a countermeasure against accumulated snow such as equipping the tires with snow chains or replacing the tires with winter tires can be easily carried out. However, the running wheels 511 such as the rubber tires used in the track transportation system 1 are very large, and also have a weight of hundreds of kilograms. For this reason, it is difficult to carry out the countermeasure against accumulated snow, for instance, to equip the running wheels 511 with snow chains or replace the running wheels 511 with winter tires.

On the other hand, in the present embodiment, with the use of the snow plow parts 61 and the snow removal brush parts 62, while most of the large quantity of snow on the runways 21 a is removed by the snow plow parts 61, the slight snow remaining on the runways 21 a can be almost all removed by the brush part bodies 621.

For this reason, even in the event of the snowfall, the snow on the runways 21 a can be almost all removed, and the vehicle body 51 can be driven without carrying out the countermeasure against accumulated snow on the running wheels 511.

Also, the reception surfaces 61 a and the brush part bodies 621 are disposed to be inclined to the outside in the vehicle width direction Dw at an angle of 40° to 45° with respect to the running direction Dr. For this reason, even when the vehicle body 51 does nothing but move forward in the running direction Dr, the snow accumulated on the runways 21 a can be sent to be pushed out toward the outside in the vehicle width direction Dw by the reception surfaces 61 a and the brush part bodies 621. Therefore, it is possible to improve the capability to remove the snow accumulated on the runways 21 a toward the outside in the vehicle width direction Dw.

In addition, as the vehicle body 51 moves, the reception surfaces 61 a of the snow plow parts 61 send the snow to be pushed outside in the vehicle width direction Dw while receiving the snow. However, if an amount of the snow accumulated on the runways 21 a is large, an amount of the snow which the reception surfaces 61 a receive is gradually increased as going outward in the vehicle width direction Dw in the process of sending the snow to the outside in the vehicle width direction Dw.

However, as in the present embodiment, the reception surfaces 61 a are formed to go forward in the running direction Dr while being curved in a recessed shape backward in the running direction Dr as going upward in the vertical direction Dv and such that the radius of curvature is increased as going outward in the vehicle width direction Dw. That is, the reception surfaces 61 a are formed to cover the snow in front of the snow plow parts 61 in the running direction Dr from the upper side in the vertical direction while the radius of curvature is increased as going outward in the vehicle width direction Dw. For this reason, as the vehicle body 51 moves forward in the running direction Dr, even when the amount of the snow which the reception surfaces 61 a receive is increased as going outward in the vehicle width direction Dw, it is possible to inhibit the snow from overflowing backward in the running direction Dr beyond the snow plow parts 61. Thereby, it is possible to stably send the snow to the outside in the vehicle width direction Dw to remove the snow.

Also, as the reception surfaces 61 a extend upward in the vertical direction Dv as going outward in the vehicle width direction Dw, it is possible to increase the amount of the snow that can be received by the reception surfaces 61 a as going outward in the vehicle width direction Dw. For this reason, even if the amount of the snow which the reception surfaces 61 a receive is increased as going outward in the vehicle width direction Dw, it is possible to inhibit the snow from overflowing backward in the running direction Dr beyond the snow plow parts 61. Thereby, it is possible to more stably send the snow to the outside in the vehicle width direction Dw to remove the snow.

Also, the brush fixing portion 622 is mounted on the second arms 633 b in a body with the snow plow part 61, and is fixed to the piston parts 632 b via the first arms 633 a. For this reason, the brush part bodies 621 and the snow plow parts 61 can be moved up or down in the vertical direction Dv with respect to the guide frame 521 or the runways 21 a as a whole. As a result, in the event of the normal operation in which the snow removal from the runways 21 a is not required as in the case when no snow falls, the brush part bodies 621 and the snow plow parts 61 are made to be separated greatly from the runways 21 a. Only when the snow removal is required, it is possible to approximate the snow plow parts 61 to the runways 21 a to bring the lower ends of the brush part bodies 621 into contact with the runways 21 a. Therefore, in the event of the normal operation, it is possible to inhibit the vehicle body 51 from traveling with the lower ends of the brush part bodies 621 brought into contact with the runways 21 a, and to prevent the brush part bodies 621 from becoming worn. Further, it is possible to inhibit the snow plow parts 61 and the brush part bodies 621 from exerting an influence on the traveling of the vehicle body 51 in the event of the normal operation as in the case that, as the brush part bodies 621 come into contact with the runways 21 a, the friction occurs at the brush part bodies 621 to hinder the traveling of the vehicle body 51.

In addition, as the vehicle 5 equipped with the snow removal devices 60 as described above is connected at the forefront in the running direction Dr, the vehicle 5 can be efficiently driven while removing the snow accumulated on the runways 21 a. For this reason, it is possible to suppress service disruptions or train delays caused by the accumulated snow.

Second Embodiment

Next, a snow removal device 70 of a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 5.

In the second embodiment, the same components as in the first embodiment are given the same symbols, and detailed description will be omitted. The snow removal device 70 of the second embodiment is different from that of the first embodiment in that a snow removal brush part 62 is mounted on a vehicle body 51 independently of a snow plow part 61.

The snow removal device 70 of the second embodiment includes plow fixtures 71 that mount the snow removal brush part 62 on the vehicle body 51 independently of the snow plow part 61.

Also, second arms 733 b of the second embodiment are connected to first arms 633 a by fixing only a brush fixing portion 622 without being connected to the snow plow part 61.

The plow fixtures 71 fix the snow plow part 61 so as not to be movable relative to a runway 21 a. Each of the plow fixtures 71 of the present embodiment mounts the snow plow part 61 on the vehicle body 51 so as to have a position at which a lower end of the snow plow part 61 is separated from the runway 21 a by a length predetermined from a wear threshold of the snow removal brush part 62. To be specific, like the first embodiment, each of the plow fixtures 71 fixes the snow plow part 61 so as to have a position at which the lower end of the snow plow part 61 is separated from the runway 21 a by about 50 mm to 60 mm.

In each of the plow fixtures 71 of the present embodiment, a rear thereof in a running direction Dr is fixed to a cylinder part 632 a, and a front thereof in the running direction Dr is fixed to the snow plow part 61. The plow fixtures 71 are fixed to lower ends of surfaces of the cylinder parts 632 a, wherein the surfaces of the cylinder parts 632 a are directed outside the runway 21 a in a vehicle width direction Dw. That is, when viewed from the outside in the vehicle width direction Dw, each of the plow fixtures 71 is installed in together with the first arm 633 a in a vertical direction Dv. The plow fixtures 71 are provided for the cylinder parts 632 a. Therefore, the two plow fixtures 71 hold the snow plow part 61 such that the snow plow part 61 is sandwiched from opposite sides in the vehicle width direction Dw by the two plow fixtures 71 disposed away from each other in the vehicle width direction Dw.

According to the snow removal device 70 as described above, only the brush part body 621 can be moved up or down in the vertical direction Dv relative to the guide frame 521 or the runway 21 a. For this reason, in the event of a normal operation in which snow removal from the runway 21 a is not required as in the case when no snow falls, the brush part body 621 can be greatly separated from the runway 21 a. Therefore, like the first embodiment, in the event of the normal operation, it is possible to inhibit the vehicle body 51 from traveling with the lower end of the brush part body 621 brought into contact with the runway 21 a, and to prevent the brush part body 621 from becoming worn.

Also, as the brush part body 621 is mounted on the mounting support part 63 separately from the snow plow part 61, only the brush part body 621 can be made to be separated greatly from the runway 21 a. For this reason, for example, when snow has accumulated on the runway 21 a up to a height at which the removal is difficult using the brush part body 621, only the snow plow part 61 can precede the brush part body 621 to remove the snow accumulated on the runway 21 a.

As in the second embodiment, the snow plow part 61 is not limited to a structure in which it is mounted on the vehicle body 51 with the position fixed. The snow plow part 61 has only to be mounted on the vehicle body 51 independently of the snow removal brush part 62. For example, the snow plow part 61 of the second embodiment may be mounted independently of the snow removal brush part 62 so as to be movable up or down in the vertical direction Dv. As this structure is used, the snow plow part 61 can be moved to an arbitrary position in the vertical direction Dv depending on a condition of the snow accumulated on the runway 21 a regardless of the position of the brush part body 621.

Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above in detail with reference to the drawings, the constitutions and combinations in these embodiments are mere examples, and additions, omissions, substitutions, and other modifications of the constitution are possible without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Also, the present invention is not limited by the above description, but is only limited by the claims.

The snow removal device 60 or 70 is not limited to being provided for the vehicle 5 disposed at the forefront of the combination vehicle as in the aforementioned embodiments, but may be provided for a rearmost vehicle 5. When the snow removal device 60 or 70 is provided for the foremost or rearmost vehicle 5, even if the running direction Dr of the vehicle 5 is changed by, for instance, a shuttle service, the snow on the runways 21 a can be removed.

Also, as in the present embodiments, the reception surfaces 61 a are not limited to being formed to be inclined toward the outside in the vehicle width direction Dw with respect to the running direction Dr. The reception surfaces 61 a have only to be inclined toward the vehicle width direction Dw with respect to the running direction Dr. For example, as in the present embodiments, when the runways 21 a are formed away from each other in the vehicle width direction Dw, contrary to the case of the aforementioned embodiments, the reception surfaces 61 a may be inclined from the front toward the rear in the running direction Dr and toward the inside in the vehicle width direction Dw.

Also, a structure for varying the angle α at which the reception surface 61 a is inclined such that the angle α can be adequately changed depending on a traveling speed of the vehicle 5 or a condition of the snow accumulated on each of the runways 21 a may be used.

In addition, a flat plate-like member formed of a flexible material such as a rubber material may be provided at the lower end of the snow plow part 61 to reduce an interval between the lower end of the snow plow part 61 and the runway 21 a. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A snow removal device comprising: a snow plow part that is mounted on a vehicle body traveling along a track in front of running wheels provided for the vehicle body in a running direction in which the vehicle body travels such that a lower end of the snow plow part is separated from each of runways of the track with which the running wheels are in contact and that displaces forward snow of the running direction in a vehicle width direction of the vehicle body as the vehicle body moves forward in the running direction; and a snow removal brush part that is mounted on the vehicle body in a rear of the snow plow part in the running direction and in front of the running wheels in the running direction so as to be disposed at a position at which a lower end of the snow removal brush part comes into contact with the runway and at a position at which at least a portion of the snow removal brush part overlaps the snow plow part when viewed from the front in the running direction.
 2. The snow removal device according to claim 1, wherein: the snow plow part includes a reception surface that is formed to be inclined in the vehicle width direction with respect to the running direction and receives the snow; and the snow removal brush part includes a brush part body that is inclined in the same direction as the reception surface and comes into contact with the runway.
 3. The snow removal device according to claim 2, wherein the reception surface extends forward in the running as going upward in a vertical direction while being curved in a shape recessed backward in the running direction, and is curved such that a radius of curvature is increased as going toward the vehicle width direction.
 4. The snow removal device according to claim 2, wherein the reception surface is formed by extending upward in the vertical direction as going toward the vehicle width direction.
 5. The snow removal device according to claim 3, wherein the reception surface is formed by extending upward in the vertical direction as going toward the vehicle width direction.
 6. The snow removal device according to claim 2, wherein the reception surface is formed in such a manner that a lower portion of the reception surface below a central portion of the reception surface in the vertical direction is warped forward in the running direction with respect to a vertical line.
 7. The snow removal device according to claim 3, wherein the reception surface is formed in such a manner that a lower portion of the reception surface below a central portion of the reception surface in the vertical direction is warped forward in the running direction with respect to a vertical line.
 8. The snow removal device according to claim 4, wherein the reception surface is formed in such a manner that a lower portion of the reception surface below a central portion of the reception surface in the vertical direction is warped forward in the running direction with respect to a vertical line.
 9. The snow removal device according to claim 5, wherein the reception surface is formed in such a manner that a lower portion of the reception surface below a central portion of the reception surface in the vertical direction is warped forward in the running direction with respect to a vertical line.
 10. The snow removal device according to claim 1, wherein the snow removal brush part is mounted on the vehicle body as one body with the snow plow part and is movable relative to the runway in a vertical direction.
 11. The snow removal device according to claim 1, wherein the snow removal brush part is mounted on the vehicle body independently of the snow plow part and is movable relative to the runway in a vertical direction.
 12. A vehicle comprising the vehicle body including the snow removal device according to claim
 1. 13. A track transportation system comprising: the vehicle according to claim 12; and a track along which the vehicle body travels. 